Friday, June 28, 2013

this week's favorites...





with summer in full force i'm not sure what exactly i want to embrace with my nail lacquer this season. bright and bold, patterned, a pretty nudish pink color (such a delicate, summery and fresh look), or sticking to good old black because there's more glamorous than perfectly painted black nails. happy friday ya'll!!  

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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Treat Yourself

Have you tried out The Dry Bar? I haven't but the idea of spending an afternoon getting a mani and your hair styled for a reasonable price would be such a fun treat to share with a group of friends or having a little sister bonding time. We don't have an actual Dry Bar here but there is All Tressed Up, its right around the corner from my house, so tempting for a free afternoon. Treat yourself to a little primping for no particular reason this week!! 

(image via dry bar

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Summer Pasta Dishes

Get the summer started by cooking for the family or inviting friends over for a home made meal with this simple and tasty recipe. I absolutely love Ree's Chicken Florentine Pasta dish. Here's a list a list of ingredients and directions. Get to cooking and tell me what you think?!

Ingredients: 
  • 8 ounces penne
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 half stick (4 tbsp.) Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 3/4 cups dry white wine
  • 3/4 cups low-sodium broth, more if needed
  • 1 (6-ounce) bag baby spinach
  • 1 cup red grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 1 cup yellow grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved

  • Directions:
  • Cook pasta according to package directions in lightly salted water. Drain and set aside. Cut chicken breasts into chunks (about 1" pieces) and sprinkle on salt and pepper.
    Melt Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken chunks in a single layer and do not stir for a minute or two in order to allow the chicken to brown on the first side. Turn the chicken and brown on the other side. Cook until done, then remove chicken from the skillet.
    Add the red onion and the garlic and stir to cook, about 1 1/2 minutes. Pour in wine and broth, stirring to deglaze the pan. Allow the liquid to bubble up, then continue cooking it until it's reduced by at least half.
    Turn off the heat. Add spinach, tomatoes, chicken, and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine; the spinach will wilt as you toss everything. At the end, toss in the feta and the Parmesan.
    Serve with extra Parmesan shavings.
    Prep time: 20 minutes
    Cook time: 15 minutes + 12 for pasta
    Total Time: 47 minutes
    Yield: 11 cups (about 6 servings)
    (image and recipe via the pioneer woman)

  • Monday, June 24, 2013

    Weekend Wrap Up


    scallop details on new crop tops. 
     evenings reserved for the archives of matchbook
    magazine and lavender polishings.
    this guy wanted to go for a swim.

     serious taco grubbing.
    discovering new coffeehouses. 
     did you check out the super moon.
     girls night in complete with rose based sangria.
    summer means sunnies and bright lips.

    (images via instagram)

    Saturday, June 22, 2013

    Saturday Happy


    I've made it well aware on this blog that I am a Kate Spade addict, so the news of Kate Spade Saturday was kind of HUGE when I found out about it launching. SO when I heard about an actual store not just the online shopping experience I was more than thrilled. This is excellent news, Thank you Kate Spade Saturday, you've made me weekend all the better :) What's making you happy this week? 

    (image via

    Tuesday, June 18, 2013

    Shop Brooklyn






    I first came across these beauties last summer, major props to the maker behind Gift Shop Brooklyn, you're a gem Annie!!!! I love how simple, versatile, delicate and pretty they are. Dress them up or down, I could cart any one of these babies around day or night. I would be a happy camper if I could take all these home. Which one would you pick?

    (images via Gift Shop Brooklyn)  

    Monday, June 17, 2013

    Weekend Wrap Up...

    pink beach attire-done!
     just relaxing and stumbling upon enchanting bookstores
    on Balboa Island.
    room with a view and a little bubbly to kick start 
    the weekend.
     saturday evening happenings.
     finally checking out the cool hangout, the quiet woman.
     swordfish cravings and live entertainment, um yes please! 
     lazy sundays at the beach.
    finally trying out Sprinkles ice cream, i'm a happy camper.

    (images via instagram)

    Thursday, June 13, 2013

    The Best Sandwich

    One of my favorite, easiest and go to meals is making an excellent sandwich and pairing it with some really good veggies and hummus, fruit or my absolute favorite deli pickles. I've recently come to enjoy this simple and quick sandwich recipe, all you need is freshly sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, pesto and olive oil, toast that baby and voila a delicious meal.  

    (image via french sandwich)

    Wednesday, June 12, 2013

    Trina Turk






    Fact: Trina Turk's first boutique opened in Palm Springs, California in 2002 and has since expanded to seven different locations throughout the states. So going in for the first time this past week (shame on me) I fell even more in love with her style than from previously perusing her site and visiting boutiques elsewhere. I've been eyeing a few swimsuit pieces, towels and bags for my many trips planned to the beach this summer as well as some home pieces. I could seriously kick myself for not seeing her speak at the library where I work when she came to talk about the interior design and decorating at Sunnylands here in Rancho Mirage, California. 

    (images via trina turk)

    Tuesday, June 11, 2013

    The Daily Escape

    There's something so relaxing and calming about living in the desert. As a traveler you'd think I'd be particular to what kind of cities I'd be attracted to however I'm the kind of person who finds beauty in every kind of landscape, whether its the farmlands of the Mid West to industrialized cities and coastal villages to even mountain towns. I've come to really enjoy living in the California desert, it's peaceful and quiet but has an eclectic, stylish and surely a retro vibe to it. Crave mid-century style, modern art and a vintage haven, well pack your bags and head to the desert. I don't mind taking a break and checking into this rainbow colored hotel, The Saguaro for a Friday night and walk the strip and enjoying a stay-cation!!! 

    (image via Cup of Jo)

    Monday, June 10, 2013

    Weekend Wrap Up...

    summer calls for floral dresses.
     snack staples consists of pretzels and hummus.
    girl walks into a bar and orders herself a few drinks.
    getting crafty and making something sweet for
    my little sister.
    get your read on; susan jane gilman, seriously my 
    new best friend.
    chicken teriyaki overload. 
    bedroom corner book nooks.
    sunday evenings are spent catching up with the 
    latest gossip with the ALA and getting into a 
    truly great film.

    (images via instagram)

    Saturday, June 8, 2013

    Saturday Happy

    So for the last month or so I've been waking up early and heading to the closest Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, it's become my new favorite hang out spot, not to mention they have killer teas. I seriously can't get enough of their Pomegranate Blueberry and Apricot cold teas. So lately I've been heading down to the coffee house in the morning before work and take my book and enjoy a quiet morning, diving into a new read each week and people watch for a while until it's time to head to work. Would you wake up a little earlier to enjoy the quietness of the morning and get in a little five minutes peace?! What's making you happy this week?

    (image by Tatum O'Brien)  

    Thursday, June 6, 2013

    When in Maine

    Summer to me means taking spontaneous road trips, living in your swimsuit, staying up late, making s'mores, swimming and being outdoors all day long. Years ago I spent my summers going to camp on the east coast and got the chance to fall in love with the New England culture and the natural beauty of the Maine coastline. Getting the chance to live in in the small town of Denmark for nearly three months for a few summers was the chance of a lifetime and I tried to embrace close to every moment of that experience.   If there was one thing I'll always remember and appreciate about those long lost summers, the canoe trips outweigh everything else. During my last year on my last trip, I"ll never forget as we were setting up camp and situating our sleeping bags in the lean-to the sun was fading beneath the trees behind the river and the most incredible rain and thunder storm far off in the distance began to form.  I thought to myself that I had never seen something so amazing or beautiful over the glistening and still water we had spent the day canoeing in. If there's one thing you should add to your bucket list, add canoeing to it!!!

    (image via spring)  

    Tuesday, June 4, 2013

    Vampires in the Lemon Grove

    Do you already have your summer reading list going, mine is about a mile long and I've only gotten through three but I'm on to the next, The Shining. Yea, I know I've never read it shame on me but I'm about forty pages in and I can't put it down. Jack Torrence and his family have just arrived at the hotel and I can't wait to see it all unravel!!! I've also got Dan Brown's latest read, Meg Wolitzer's newest novel, The Interestings, Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell, Jeannette Walls The Silver Star and New York by Edward Rutherfurd to name a few, what's on your list?! 

    (image by Tatum O'Brien)

    Monday, June 3, 2013

    Weekend Wrap Up...



    rocking old and new creating a new silver arm party. 
    indulging in maple granola greatness. 
     leopard dresses and new subscriptions. 
     daily adventures include hiking with my 
    boyfriends family. 
     enjoying a morning hike. 
     loving my new jewelry box that was a major steal!
     sunday mornings.
    clocked in two miles at the pool and feeling good.

    (images via instagram)

    Leading Ladies

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